24 chapters
3 hour read
Selected Chapters
24 chapters
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
In the year eighteen hundred and sixty the military spirit was rife in the South. The clouds were threatening. No one knew what a day would bring forth. The organization, the equipment and drill of volunteer companies was, accordingly, the order of the times. The first assembly to perfect the organization of the Guilford Grays was held in the court-house in Greensboro, N.C., on the evening of the 9th of January, 1860. The meeting was presided over by General Joab Hiatt—now deceased—a favorite an
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
More than a year in advance of the National Paper, attributed to Mr. Jefferson, the people of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a free people and took the lead in throwing off the British yoke. On the 4th day of July, 1776, the National Declaration, adopting (?) some of the language of the Mecklenburg convention, "rang out" the glad tidings "that these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, free and independent States." To celebrate the "glorious fourth," the good people of Alaman
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Mr. Lincoln's "call" for troops excited indignation and alarm throughout the South; and "law-abiding" North Carolina had now to decide what it was her duty to do. On the 17th of April, Gov. Ellis issued a proclamation convening the General Assembly to meet in special session on the first day of May. On the evening of the day of the issuing of the proclamation, Capt. John Sloan, commanding the Grays, received orders from Gov. Ellis, "to report with his company, with three days' rations, at Goldsb
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
On the 7th of November, Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was ordered to report for duty, to his regiment at Newberne. Some time in December Col. George Singletary resigned and Lieut.-Col. John Sloan was elected colonel of the regiment; Maj. T. C. Singletary was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lieut. John A. Gilmer, of the Grays—who had been acting as adjutant of the regiment at Newberne—was elected Major. The promotion of Lieut. Gilmer made a vacancy in the offices of our company, and Sergeant John A. Slo
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
From February to the tenth of May, the following men had joined our company: Benjamin Burnsides, Henry Coble, R. L. Coltrain, John Coltrain, D. L. Clark, John Cannady, W. W. Underwood, Jas. Hall, Jas. R. Wiley, Hugh Hall, Wash. Williams, Lewis N. Isley, Stephen D. Winbourne, W. W. McLean, Geo. H. Woolen, Wm. McFarland, Sam'l Young, Lemuel May, Thos. L. Greeson, Rasper Poe, B. N. Smith, J. M. Edwards, John H. Smith, R. L. Smith, Wm. Seats, Paisley Sheppard, Newton Kirkman, James Lemons, Wm. Horne
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Early on the next morning the rain began to fall in torrents, and continued for forty-eight hours, rendering the roads almost impassable. It was reported that the enemy were crossing the James, and we were ordered back to our camp near Drury's Bluff. About sun-down we commenced our weary and hard march. Our men were worn out by continuous marching and loss of sleep, still we plodded along, reaching our camp, 17 miles distant, about 3 o'clock in the morning thoroughly drenched. Col. Cooke had gon
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
On the morning of the 17th of September, just before day-break, we were aroused from our slumbers and moved to a position in line of battle on the extreme right of the Confederate lines. At early dawn the enemy opened their artillery from both sides of the Antietam, the heaviest fire being directed against our left. Under cover of this fire a large force of infantry attacked Gen. Jackson's division, and for some time the conflict raged with fury and alternate success. Gen. Early, in command of E
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
About the middle of October, McClellan moved his army across the Potomac, east of the Blue Ridge, and bent his course southward. Later in the month, he began to incline eastwardly from the mountains, and finally concentrated his forces in the neighborhood of Warrenton, Virginia. On the 7th of November he was relieved of the command of the army of the Potomac, and Gen. Burnside, "under Federal dispensation," became his successor. The indications were that Fredericksburg was again to be occupied.
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
The muster-roll of the Grays, in camp near Fredericksburg, numbered, on the 31st day of December, for duty, two commissioned officers, four sergeants, four corporals, and thirty-eight privates; on detached service, six privates; sick (present), three privates; sick and wounded (absent) twenty-three privates; total present and absent, rank and file, eighty-nine. On the third of January, 1863, we were ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to march, and about 10 o'clock we were on the road leading
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
In the latter part of April, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major-General Hooker, occupied its position in front of Fredericksburg. Here he constructed a formidable line of earthworks; from which secure position, he purposed to move on General Lee's flank. With this view, he crossed the Rappahannock and took position at Chancellorsville. Meanwhile, General Lee, watching him, was entrenched on the line of hills south of the Rappahannock, near Fredericksburg. On the 2d of May,
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
We had scarcely emerged from the woods and began to advance down the hill, when Gen. Cooke, in command of the brigade, was shot and fell from his horse severely wounded. Col. Gilmer, in command of our regiment, was shot down about the same moment. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th N.C. regiment, and the command of our regiment fell upon Lieut.-Col. Whitfield. We were now suffering from the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery posted in the thickets on the elev
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
On the 18th of December, Lieutenant Frank A. Hanner was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant McKnight killed. Orderly Sergeant Chas. A. Campbell to 2d Lieutenant, Jr.; Sergeant William M. Paisley was appointed Orderly Sergeant; Corporal C. W. Stratford, Sergeant, and privates Alfred W. Klutts and Rufus B. Gibson were promoted to Corporals. During the month of December, under special orders No. 72, Lee's headquarters, a general court martial was convened for our (Heth's) division. Capt. J.
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
On the 1st day of May, the official return of the Army of the Potomac showed, present for duty, one hundred and forty-one thousand one hundred and sixty men, of all arms. General Lee had, in round numbers, sixty-four thousand men. I give the relative strength of the two armies, in order that the reader may have a proper appreciation of the difficulties which beset our army in thwarting the designs of our wily adversary, in the campaign we were now just entering. That the brilliant genius of our
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
At dawn on the morning of the 6th the enemy, having been re-enforced by the 9th army corps under Gen. Burnside, and a fresh division commanded by Wadsworth, advanced. The intervening space between the position now held by our brigade, and the point at which we fought on the 5th, was occupied by our (Hill's) corps camped in irregular order, and in no condition for an assault; consequently, when the enemy made their advance and attacked, these forces were thrown into confusion and driven back to t
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
On the 10th Barlow's division made an attack upon our left and obtained temporary possession of a portion of Ewell's line. Gen. Lee said that these lines must be re-established, if he had to attend to it in person. Our (Heth's) division was called upon to do the work. We received our orders and were soon in readiness. Advancing cautiously for some little time, we came upon the enemy about one mile this side of a branch of the Po, we deployed into line and began to push them back. They finally ha
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
General Grant, giving up all hope of succeeding in his plans by direct assault, on the night of the 20th began a flank movement in the direction of Bowling Green, hoping thereby to interpose between our army and the long-coveted Richmond. On the 21st, Wright's corps began the initiative and moved southward. To counteract and defeat this new purpose, General Lee, at midnight, dispatched Longstreet's corps on the road leading to Hanover Junction. On the day and night of the 21st, Ewell's and Hill'
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
On the 3d of June the two armies were brought face to face at Cold Harbor, where but two years before "Little Mc" had struggled in vain for the mastery. On the night of the 2d our brigade was placed in line on the extreme left, with our regiment upon what is known as Pharr's farm. As soon as we were halted we began to fortify, and by early dawn had constructed good temporary works. Owing to the dense, heavy body of woods the enemy were enabled to make near approaches in our front, and previous t
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Army of the Potomac having now apparently had sufficient amusement on this portion of its constituted "all summer route," again adopted "Little Mc's" tactics, "sought water," and on the 12th of June began its march towards the historic James. On the 14th and 15th, by means of his pontoon bridges near Wilcox's Landing, Grant crossed to the south side of the river. On the evening of the 15th his advance made a feint demonstration against Petersburg, and on the 16th made his attack in force. Th
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
On the night of the 28th, Hancock's corps was secretly withdrawn from the north side, and every preparation was made for the great forthcoming event. Grant had constructed a mine under one of our forts in front of Petersburg, the main gallery of which was five hundred and twenty-two feet in length, with eight side galleries; in each of these galleries was placed about fourteen hundred pounds of powder. Gen. Burnside, in charge of this new feature of warfare, was to explode the "infernal machine,
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
On the 26th of August, we returned to our position in the trenches, where we remained until the latter part of September. On the 16th, Robert T. Heath and James Hacket joined the Grays. The casualties in the campaign so far had sadly reduced our ranks. At the battle of Ream's Station, Capt. Herring, senior officer of the regiment, was wounded, when Capt. J. A. Sloan, next in rank, took command of the regiment, and Sergeant Thomas J. Rhodes commanded the Grays. Our muster-roll on the 31st of Augu
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
The Grays were in winter quarters on the left side of Hatcher's Run, one mile and a half below Burgess' mill. While here we received orders at midnight on the 24th of March, to be in readiness to move in the direction of Petersburg. Leaving the sick and wounded to take care of the camp and the lines in our immediate front, we began our march, not knowing the cause of this seeming untimely order. After two hours rapid marching we reached Petersburg, and bivouacked near the water-works. About dayl
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
Reader! The writer said, when he began the "Reminiscences of the Guilford Grays," that it was not his purpose to undertake the severe labors of the historian, but to confine himself to the humbler task of relating what, has been part of his own experience. To make the thread of narrative continuous and intelligible, it deserves to be mentioned, however, that it has been necessary to allude to portions of the history of those eventful times in which the Grays were only generally interested, which
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII. THE ROLL.
CHAPTER XXIII. THE ROLL.
Captain John Sloan .—Elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 27th North Carolina Regiment, September, 1861; promoted to colonelcy December, 1861; resigned April, 1862; died since war. 1st Lieutenant William Adams .—Elected Captain, vice Capt. John Sloan promoted, October 5th, 1861; killed at battle of Sharpsburg September 17th, 1862. [1] 2d Lieutenant Jas. T. Morehead, Jr. —Resigned April 20th, 1861; appointed captain in the 45th North Carolina Regiment; promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in the 53d Regim
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
BATTLES
BATTLES
in which the Grays (Company B, 27th North Carolina troops) participated in from 1861 to 1865. Last May I issued to our people a card in which I stated that it was my purpose to prepare and publish a work to be entitled: "North Carolina in the War between the States." I also stated that "the effort will be made to give, in a connected form, all the events pertaining to the history of the war, so far as they relate to North Carolina." Since the publication of the card, I have been steadily engaged
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter